Sexual quality of life, female sexual function, female genital self- and body image among women requesting genital cosmetic surgery: a comparative study

Abstract

ABSTRACTFemale genital cosmetic surgery (FGCS) is increasingly becoming popular among Iranian women. This study aimed to assess the relationship between sexual quality of life, female genital self-image, body image and sexual function, in women requesting genital cosmetic surgery. A sample of 50 women seeking genital cosmetic surgery without any medical indications and 100 women as comparison group participated in the study. Participants were selected by convenience sampling. Hierarchical regression analysis was performed by four steps to indicate factors that contribute to the female sexual quality of life. The results showed that education, age, duration of marriage, female genital self-image, body image, sexual function jointly accounted for 60% of the variance in sexual quality of life score between two groups. Of these, sexual function and body image showed the greatest coefficients (β = 0.493 and 0.282, respectively) and significant relationship with sexual quality of life score, p < 0.001. This study is the first investigation that examines FGCS in Iran. The findings suggest that there is association between seeking cosmetic vaginal surgery and female sexual functioning and body image, and that these are related to female sexual quality of life. Perhaps improving these factors might lead to the decreased unnecessary female genital cosmetic surgeries.